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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

How to handle entitled teenage sister?

17 replies

PawsAndReflection · 03/12/2022 01:07

Posting here too for traffic Blush

I (30F) am the eldest of 6 siblings and despite us being all over the country all have a great relationship with each other. The youngest (17F) and I especially, my Mom had a very traumatic life and has issues with alcohol and relationships which meant that growing up I had a lot of responsibility for my younger siblings. She is a single mother and had her own business which meant I would finish school, come home and feed/bath/put to bed the two youngest and help the others with homework, housework etc.

I moved out at 18 but have always been there for the younger ones as my Mom went through a string of abusive relationships, the last one she is currently divorcing after he kicked the shit out of her in front of my two youngest siblings. It was the final straw after 3 years of physical, mental and financial abuse from him, not all just directed at my Mom.

I love my Mom and try to support her as much as I feel is appropriate, speaking to schools when the youngest gets in trouble, contributing to her mortgage and just giving all of them advice and someone to talk to when they need it. They’re not overly generous with recognising it but that’s not why I do it, however in this situation it’s kind of important.

I moved to a big city about 5 years ago and live with my partner (35M) who loves all my family and treats them as though they’re his own sisters. We’ve made sure they know they can come and stay with us whenever they need some space, or just to treat them to the kind of culture they don’t get back home. We want to show them that by working hard at school they can gain freedom to live, work and explore wherever they like.

Now here’s the problem. My youngest sister ‘Daisy’ has visited a lot, and usually for at least a week at a time. I work from home 3 days a week so typically she’ll just chill out watching tv or playing online then we’ll do things in the evening, and I’ll take a day or two off to sightsee or go shopping. She is a little nervous about travelling around on her own so this time we suggested she bring a friend with her so they could use the train/bus to properly explore the City.

From the first day she was a nightmare. She was upset we didn’t meet her at the station (a 10 min walk from our house) to carry her bags. Then she stayed up until 6am vaping in the living room, falling asleep with all the windows open and leaving the house freezing, after I’d asked her to only vape in her room if not outside. Her and her friend spent the whole week sleeping until 5pm, ordering fast food and then staying up until 6/7am and playing YouTube loudly in the room next to where we were sleeping.

I didn’t lose my temper, I just spoke to her and reiterated the house rules pointing out it wasn’t fair for them to do this (while leaving shit everywhere) particularly as me and my partner were working during the day. I had given them cash on the condition they use it to explore the city, they spent it on vapes and McDonald’s.

On the Friday, I woke them up nicely at 11am and said if they wanted us to take them out that night and weekend then they needed to go out rather than spending another day in bed. They left at 5.30, went to one shop and started calling us to meet them because they were hungry. At this point, I had met a friend for a quick drink and thought that leaving them another hour rather than racing to meet them would force them into doing a bit of exploring.

By the time we met them at 7pm, they were both clearly sulking, the whole dinner they sat whispering behind their hands, making snide comments and completely ignoring us. My friends sister then made up that her Grandad had died and so unfortunately they had to get the train back tomorrow to make the funeral on Sunday.

Honestly I was relieved- it had been so stressful having them I didn’t even really care that they were lying. But when they said they’d be getting the 4pm train the next day I put my foot down and said they needed to be out by 10am, I didn’t want to waste my whole Saturday feeling awkward with them in the house.

When we got home, I tried to address all of this with her. My main issue was we’ve always had such a good relationship, I would have been fine if she’d said ‘I think we’re going to go home early as it all just feels a bit awkward’ rather lying to my face- again. She immediately started to blame me and my partner for not making them welcome and for leaving them on their own while we had a drink with a friend. She completely lied to my face about a number of things, including how my
partner had treated her (I’ve never seen him raise his voice and he’d spent the week cooking and tidying up after them without a peep), so I ended the conversation and went back to our room without losing my temper.

So 8am the next day (when my sister assumed I’d be asleep) she messaged me from the other room saying ‘we’ve booked our ticket, if you’d like to try and make up come and speak to me but I don’t want this to turn into a blame game’. I think it was so she could say ‘look! I messaged her and she didn’t even come down to say goodbye’. She then attempted to sneak out of the house without saying anything, but I called her back, said I’m sorry this didn’t pan out how we wanted and to let me know she got back safe.

Since then there’s been radio silence, not even a happy birthday for me last week until a text this morning saying ‘shall we call a truce?’. I’m sure the only reason for this is Xmas is coming up and we usually splash out more than anyone for the two youngest, as my Mom is struggling with money and their dad isn’t around.

I don’t want this to turn into a huge drama, which she’s good at, and I don’t want it to carry on into Xmas but unless she apologises I feel like it sets a terrible standard for me to buy her a ton of presents and act as if everything is normal. I’m either a bitch or a pushover and I just don’t know what to do.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
youagainomg · 03/12/2022 01:16

You do nothing until she apologies. Your sister is nearly an adult and she needs to start acting like it. I wouldn't be having her or any friends to stay over anymore.

RishisProudMum · 03/12/2022 01:19

Tell her that her behaviour is unacceptable, be super clear as to how and why, and state that you require an apology. And I personally wouldn’t buy her any gifts. She’s old enough to understand that you don’t get rewarded for treating people poorly.

Asserting clear boundaries and requiring basic respect doesn’t make you a bitch.

littlefireseverywhere · 03/12/2022 01:21

You’ve got a motherly relationship with her, which she’s taking full advantage of. She needs to apologise it at least recognise that in the future things need to be different. I’d also not allow one of her friends to stay with you.

PawsAndReflection · 03/12/2022 01:25

You're all 100% right about not having a friend come in future (although it's not bloody likely she'll be invited again on her own as it stands anyway!)

It might be partly showing off but she behaves the same at home, the problem is with Mum there's no consequences. This week they had to go to school for a meeting as she's at risk of being thrown out for not going to lessons. Then when I called home to check in with my other sister she informed me that 'Daisy' was spending the night making weed brownies with weed that my MUM had bought her.

So she doesn't work, doesn't go to school, and never faces any consequences for bad behaviour. It's so stressful to just stand by and watch.

OP posts:
JuneOsborne · 03/12/2022 01:26

A truce, huh? I'd tell her that she really disappointed you on that last trip and combined with the fact she ignored your birthday is really hurtful. Tell her you were hurt. And tell her that you love her, but right now you're taking some space especially as she hasn't yet apologised, and you feel as though you're owed one.

Be honest, firm and loving.

PawsAndReflection · 03/12/2022 01:27

I just don't want her to mess up the relationship she has with me and by extension my partner too as I feel we're a good influence, as much as we can be from this distance.

The thing that hurts the most is that I feel like she's putting her pride before having a relationship with me, the person who would do anything in the world for her. And I haven't even done anything wrong.

I know she's a teenager, and they all do this to a degree, but it's so hurtful.

OP posts:
PawsAndReflection · 03/12/2022 01:28

JuneOsborne · 03/12/2022 01:26

A truce, huh? I'd tell her that she really disappointed you on that last trip and combined with the fact she ignored your birthday is really hurtful. Tell her you were hurt. And tell her that you love her, but right now you're taking some space especially as she hasn't yet apologised, and you feel as though you're owed one.

Be honest, firm and loving.

This is great advice, thank you.

OP posts:
FallingsHowIFeel · 03/12/2022 01:40

Her behaviour is bad. But with a mother like that, I feel very sorry for her and all the siblings. You need to talk to your sister, obviously tell her that her behaviour is unacceptable, it can’t happen again and then move on. It sounds like she’s got a shit life, poor girl.

DuchessDandelion · 03/12/2022 02:02

The replies here are harsher than those in aibu 😄

Fwiw, op, I think its pretty brilliant all you do for your family.

Her message about calling a truce would probably have infuriated me more than anything else tbh. She owes you an apology for being so incredibly rude and disrespectful when she stayed and it won't hurt to let her know that.

I agree with other responses that you shouldn't hold christmas presents hostage over this. As a parental figure I think to do so sends screwed up messages about attachment and love etc

The problem as I see it is that ordinarily as parent you'd enforce consequences and you need to find a reasonable way of doing so while she doesn't live with you. If you contribute pocket money or phone bills etc then this might be a good place to put in some restrictions as consequence. Or perhaps forgo treats / meals out when she next visits - but you will have to hold to this even if ifs a few months down the line.

Informing you about the weed brownies sounds like a deliberate attempt to push your buttons. I wonder if she's lashing out because she's facing expulsion?

Perhaps she's scared of the consequences she's facing and the uncertainty of them and is acting up to make them happen because once they do, they're no longer hanging over her?

In which case, what are the chances she'll open up to you?

Consequences don't need to be all or nothing...Find a middle ground, keep communication open and ensues she knows you're not going anywhere.

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 03/12/2022 02:13

Forget apologies and Christmas presents.

This is a vulnerable 17 year old girl who has had no real parenting, her mother has alcohol problems and has brought a string of abusive partners into the home, she has recently witnessed one of them "kick the shit" out of her mother, she's in trouble with school, she's vaping and using weed, is clearly in with the wrong crowd. I imagine she's experiencing severe mental and emotional distress.

If you really care about her then seek some professional support. Get social services involved.

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/12/2022 02:23

She's a trauma-impacted kid. She's going to have behaviours. You need to have boundaries but this poor poor child.

Twinsmummy1812 · 03/12/2022 03:17

I’m afraid you and your partner are the de facto parents here and she’s testing boundaries with you (normal behaviour). Teens can crave and dislike boundaries at the same time. I think if it was my daughter in this instance I would tell her I love her but I don’t like her behaviour at the moment and explain why. Ask her what her end goals are with respect to her behaviour and with school and if she knows why she is sabotaging her future. She must see your mum’s life, what kind of life would she prefer?

I wouldn’t punish her by not buying her the usual Christmas allowance. She’s dealing with chaos at the moment. Perhaps use the gift money for an experience that shows her what life could be like if she gets a good education/job/makes the right choices now?

good luck. You sound very caring and I’m sorry this responsibility has fallen on your shoulders and not her parents.

PawsAndReflection · 04/12/2022 19:44

Thanks all, loads of good points.

I tried calling then sent her a message Friday evening suggest we talk before they all come to visit next weekend but...nothing. So I think my only option is to be cordial, don't make it into any bigger of a thing, and for Xmas I'll get her some nice pjs and bath things rather than the big ticket pressies she usually asks for.

Hopefully time will help!

OP posts:
PawsAndReflection · 05/12/2022 23:22

DuchessDandelion · 03/12/2022 02:02

The replies here are harsher than those in aibu 😄

Fwiw, op, I think its pretty brilliant all you do for your family.

Her message about calling a truce would probably have infuriated me more than anything else tbh. She owes you an apology for being so incredibly rude and disrespectful when she stayed and it won't hurt to let her know that.

I agree with other responses that you shouldn't hold christmas presents hostage over this. As a parental figure I think to do so sends screwed up messages about attachment and love etc

The problem as I see it is that ordinarily as parent you'd enforce consequences and you need to find a reasonable way of doing so while she doesn't live with you. If you contribute pocket money or phone bills etc then this might be a good place to put in some restrictions as consequence. Or perhaps forgo treats / meals out when she next visits - but you will have to hold to this even if ifs a few months down the line.

Informing you about the weed brownies sounds like a deliberate attempt to push your buttons. I wonder if she's lashing out because she's facing expulsion?

Perhaps she's scared of the consequences she's facing and the uncertainty of them and is acting up to make them happen because once they do, they're no longer hanging over her?

In which case, what are the chances she'll open up to you?

Consequences don't need to be all or nothing...Find a middle ground, keep communication open and ensues she knows you're not going anywhere.

But do you mean I still spend the same amount as usual?

OP posts:
PawsAndReflection · 05/12/2022 23:25

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 03/12/2022 02:13

Forget apologies and Christmas presents.

This is a vulnerable 17 year old girl who has had no real parenting, her mother has alcohol problems and has brought a string of abusive partners into the home, she has recently witnessed one of them "kick the shit" out of her mother, she's in trouble with school, she's vaping and using weed, is clearly in with the wrong crowd. I imagine she's experiencing severe mental and emotional distress.

If you really care about her then seek some professional support. Get social services involved.

Against my own Mother? I don't understand how that would bell, particularly with 'Daisy' being 5 months away from being 18

I do understand where you're coming from honestly, but it's not a viable option for me unfortunately. I have had conversations with my partner (when my siblings were younger) about us fostering them but it would really break my family apart.

OP posts:
PawsAndReflection · 05/12/2022 23:26

Help, not bell. Apologies Blush

OP posts:
waterrat · 06/12/2022 05:04

I think it might be dangerous to take the advice of people online wo dont understand the severe trauma your sisister has lived and is living through

Im going to go the other way and say she bevahed badly but not so badly you should be falling out. I think its good to set a high standard but this girl nay be unable to meet the expectations you are setting her due to trauma

Dont risk her turning her back on you because she is not capable of behaving as well as you wish

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